The Scarlet Letter: An Illuminated Text
In this project, by yourself or with 1 partner, you will use open source/public domain music paired with words from
the text to explore a universal truth that is revealed through the text of The Scarlet Letter.
The project should include a focus on a universal truth (aka universal idea/theme) and the text of the book, but
may also focus on the ideas that were revealed through the use of the anticipation guide, book notes over
character, fishbowl and/or full class discussion.
Potential project topics include but are not limited to:
 A universal
 A universal
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 A universal
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 A universal
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truth revealed through an exploration of one of the four main characters
truth revealed through an exploration of the relationship of at least two characters
Ex. Pearl & Hester; Hester & Dimmesdale; Hester & Chillingworth; Dimmesdale & Chillingworth etc
truth revealed through an exploration of symbolism
The scarlet letter
The use of nature
The scaffold scenes (did you realize there were three)
Colors
Archetype
truth revealed through the setting
Could focus on Puritan society
The use of the forest scenes
The scaffold scenes
Components:
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You must include a minimum of 8 quotes/partial quotes from the text
Prior to beginning your PowerPoint presentation you should storyboard your work
Your first slide must include a quote from the text that clearly sets the theme for the rest of your presentation
Following your first slide you should include more words from the text that clearly explore your universal truth
Presentation of quotations should enhance your universal truth – use a variety of fonts, colors, background
colors and text features to develop your ideas
Choose at least one song (without lyrics) that highlights the tone of the universal truth you are exploring–
should be from an open source
o Your music should not end suddenly – therefore you may need to use a program like Audacity to
fade the music out – see directions on iLearn - http://audacity.sourceforge.net
o Your music files must be in MP3 format…you may need to convert files see directions on iLearn
You may (but not required) include images (from your own personal collection, clip art, or open source/public
domain locations) to help illustrate
You must include a reflection for each slide that examines the following:
o Your thought process/rationale detailing your presentation of the material on the slide and the
connection it has to the overall theme (examine color choices, animation of text, order of text,
images etc)
o Documentation of quotes
o If you work in partners – each individual is responsible for creating his/her own personal reflection
that clearly identifies which part of the project he/she was responsible for and his/her contributions
Your last slide should include your name(s)
Presentation time should be between 3-4 minutes
Process:
Before you get started go to http://www.awaytoteach.net/?q=lcilltextsall and view some of the example
Illuminated Texts to get an idea of what I expect from you.
Step 1: Review your notes and brainstorm a list of topics you could potentially use for this project
Step 2: Narrow your focus to the topic you are most interested in or feel the most comfortable with based on your
personal interests or the amount of information you have
Step 3: Brainstorm a list of information you know about the topic and a list of information you need to find
Step 4: Discuss your topic choice with me
Step 5: Choose the quotes you will use in your presentation
Step 6: Select music (and images if you would like) that you believe will contribute to the development of your
theme – review links of open source/ public domain music
Step 7: While listening to your music selection, storyboard your presentation – including text features you will use,
music etc & review with me
Step 8: Create your PowerPoint presentation
Step 9: Save your presentation to a file with a unique name – should be your name or your partner’s names
Step 10: embed your music and set timing – music files should also be saved in the presentation file
Step 11: save your presentation file to a place that I designate (it will either be a jump drive or a file on the server)
– be sure your presentation opens and works on multiple computers
Tips from the Experts on “A Way to Teach”
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Pictures are the least important part of this project, though they may be included as long as they don’t
detract form the text. Try to washout (see Help) the picture in the Format Picture menu.
Try to have at least one song. It is recommended that you use an MP3 format. It might help to download
the Itunes program from Apple to “rip” CD’s for your music.
Avoid letting your music just stop suddenly – if you need to download a sound program such as Audacity
(http://audacity.sourceforge.net)
Your pictures should very closely follow the words and/or music in some meaningful way (in other words
the pictures should illuminate the words – not simply be somehow related to them)
You should have no pictures or music that are offensive.
Links to use for Music and Images
Music
Muse Open http://www.musopen.com/music.php
PD Sounds
http://www.pdsounds.org/
Finding Dulcinea – includes links to sites that offer open source and public domain music
http://www.findingdulcinea.com/guides/Technology/Internet/Free-Use-Media.pg_03.html
Partners in Rhyme – sound effects etc.
http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/pir/PIRsfx.shtml
Images
Smithsonian
http://photo2.si.edu/
Public Domain Pictures
http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/
Public Domain Photos
http://www.public-domain-photos.com/